Changing from twist grips

[Pedal pusher]

I'm a bit new to MTB so apologies up front. I have old style twist grip gear shifters on my MTB and would like to change them leavers. How eaisy would it be to do ( I've done a bit of spanner work on bikes) and can anyone recommend which ones. Thanks in advance.

 

[Cubist]

A lot depends on what you have now, and what you intend to upgrade now or in the future. Is the bike 7,8 or 9 speed, ie how many cogs on the cassette?

 

[Roadrider48]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shifter_(bicycle_part)....this may help you with your conversion.

 

[Pedal pusher]

I think it's 7 speed but I'll check tonight and post a pic of the twist grip

 

[Mo1959]

I am watching this thread as I am thinking about the same thing. The second hand mtb I have recently bought has 3 x 8 twist shifters too and I would quite like to change to trigger shifters. Partly because they are obviously well used and pretty worn and partly because I find myself shifting them accidentally when I am off the bike pushing it over obstacles, through gates, etc.

 

[Roadrider48]

Get a pair of non indexed stem shifters and two new gear cables. Then your sorted!

 

[RecordAceFromNew]

I'm a bit new to MTB so apologies up front. I have old style twist grip gear shifters on my MTB and would like to change them leavers. How eaisy would it be to do ( I've done a bit of spanner work on bikes) and can anyone recommend which ones. Thanks in advance.

It is certainly not a difficult job. The skill required is not so much during the fit but adjusting the derailleur afterwards.

Essential required information is both make AND model of shifter. If model of shifter is not known for whatever reason then make and model of rear mech as well as speed will be handy to avoid sourcing mistake if any part is not Shimano (e.g. sram).

Because some 7 or 8 speed Shimano mtb brifters are better quality as well as cheaper than corresponding shifters, it might also be a good idea to provide the type of brakes you have (likely either V or canti for mtbs).

Regarding stem shifters they would only fit traditional 1" quill stems, do not provide the most elegant solution imho, and as Sheldon indicated can cause GBH if you are very unlucky...

 

[lukesdad]

I'd take the opportunity to upgrade to 9 speed dual control shifters can be had for a snip. I did it a couple of years ago on my old 'dale got away with just changing the cassette chain and shifters initially replaced chain rings a and rear mech at a later date

 

[Roadrider48]

Or you could get combined rapid fire shifters and brake levers. But more expensive though! Regarding stem shifters, they will fit most stems, unless an unusual shape. For the rapid fire option, you will have to match them to your existing derailleurs and cassette. That's why I suggested the unindexed stem option. They can be fiddly as they don't click into position, but with practice it's the cheapest and simplest way without changing other components. But at the end of the day the choice is yours.

 

[Pedal pusher]

Sorry for the delay in getting back. The bike is a Diamondback has 7 speed Shimano with disc on the front and V brakes on the back and front suss. I am only going to use it for gentle stuff - forest tracks bridal way etc.

 

[RecordAceFromNew]

For Shimano 7x3 either this or this would work just fine. The brifters give you new brake levers too for not much more. You can get cheaper compatible levers based on thumb shifting or from other brands (such as Microshift) if you wish, but Shimano shifters are easy, quick to use and reliable.

If you want to consider increasing the number of speed of the drivetrain you should check the rear wheel to see if it has a freehub or freewheel. The latter would require replacing the hub/wheel too as well as the components lukesdad mentioned above.

 

[Pedal pusher]

Thanks everybody for the advice. Not as expensive as I first thought so looks like a good upgrade